Operation Greenhouse, the fourth postwar atmospheric nuclear weapon test series took place during April and May 1951. In Greenhouse, four nuclear devices were detonated on the islands of Enjebi, Kleleron, and Runit on Enewetok Atoll. All four were detonated on towers, and resulted in significant downwind fallout.
Tests were conducted by a joint military-civilian organization Joint Task Force Three (JTF 3). During Greenhouse, the Army provided an estimated 1,615 men, the Navy 2,952, the Air Force 2,621, and the Marine Corp 134. Civilians numbered 2,049. Most of the civilians were affiliated with the AEC. Work was proceeding at this time on development of thermonuclear weapons, and the Greenhouse tests were part of this process.
Fallout occurred on the islands of Japtan, Parry, and Enewetak and the six task force ships after three of the four shots in this series. The fallout from the first two shots was heaviest on Japtan and lightest on Enewetak. Enewetak was a base island were personnel from JTF 3 lived throughout the series, Japtan was an island used for recreation, but it also had an Army communication station and a Navy medical research unit. The fallout from shot Item, the last shot in this series, was much heavier than the first two. Enewetak Island received heavier fallout from Item than Japtan and Parry. Personnel who remained on Enewetak Island for 4 days after Item received over 2.45 R. From Operation Greenhouse Fact Sheet DNA.
United States Atomic Veterans
Basil Burrell was an ET3 with the U.S. Coast Guard Loran Station.
Leland D. Searles was a member of a US Naval Aircrew at Eniwetok.
Roy Norman served as an ET with the Naval Research Laboratory.
Keith Cunday was a Marine aboard the USS Curtiss AV4.
Roy V. Slavin was a Radio Operator in the Army.
Al Truocchio was aboard the USS Sproston DDE 577.
Robert Eskridge was the 31st AWS Detachment Commander at Operation Greenhouse.
William L. Riddle was onboard the USS Curtiss AV-4.
Earl Palmer was an Air Force Ground Radio Technician.
William Young was an RM3 aboard the USS Sproston DDE577.
Charles Dial was with the 3205 Target Drone Squadron.
Charles (Chick) Campbell USAF radar instructor was assigned to the XB47 6066 during Operation Greenhouse.
Clifton M Caldwell worked for Holmes and Narver during Operation Greenhouse.
Robert L. (Rob) Campbell sent an excellent report titled: Operation Greenhouse, Two Months of Fallout - Decades of Deceit.
Charles E. (Chuck) Willey was an Air Force Ground Radio Technician.
Bill Barnett was aboard the USS Curtiss AV-4 as Marine Security.
Ruben Martinez was with the 4th Transportation Truck Co. at Greenhouse, Buster/Jangle and Operation Ivy.
Walter Easterday was attached to Bu Med Unit #1.
Carl Johnson was a MM3 on the USS Curtiss AV-4.
Tony Musco was an Aviation Radioman (Instrument Repair) assigned to the USS Curtiss.
Eamon Gonzalez was assigned to the Deck Division aboard the USS Curtiss and was the bow hook on a LCPL.
Arthur S. (Sam), Burford a mechanic with the US Army 4th Transportation Truck Company which participated in Operations Greenhouse, Ivy and Buster/Jangle
M.H. "Mo" Ingram a Supply Specialist during Operation Greenhouse has passed away. |
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Allen Aust was an MM3 stationed aboard the USS Curtiss during Operations Greenhouse and Castle.
Charles Wisner an AE2 with the USN
Squadron VP931 Assigned to Kwajalien.
Harold Wainscott (Operation Ivy) publishes a newsletter and website by and for US Air Force Weathermen, stationed at Eniwetok during the atomic tests.
Jack Kruse a Marine Corporal during Greenhouse, sent information about the USS Curtiss reunion.
Felton R. Bowden relates his experiences as a Senior Clerk in the US Air Force. He has some very nice Color Prints about Greenhouse including some for the 50th Anniversary of your participation at the Greenhouse tests.
